Macroscopic agglutination of rat epididymal spermatozoa was a sensitive reproducible test for the detection and titration of spermagglutinins in rat sera.Naturally occurring spermagglutinins were occasionally found, especially in aged males, but never in titres higher than 20.Inbred male rats, subcutaneously injected with large quantities of syngeneic, unwashed epididymal spermatozoa without adjuvant produced spermagglutinins. The highest titre (2560) was found in the serum of a rat 7 days after injection of 1-5 IO9 spermatozoa.Significant spermagglutinin formation was found after unilateral vasoligation in some (2/7) rats and unilateral vasectomy in all (8/8) rats. The antibody stimulation tended to cease after removal of the testis and epididymis of the operated side.The presence of spermagglutinins in the serum neither interfered with spermatogenesis nor necessarily with the animal's fertility.

Encephalomyocarditis virus (EMCV) is a pandemic virus that has caused mortality in numerous captive wildlife species worldwide. An experimental killed vaccine was created from two EMCV isolates associated with zoo animal mortality in the southern United States. The vaccine was tested for safety and efficacy in eleven llamas (Llama glama). All animals received an initial vaccination and a second booster vaccination 4 wk later. Serum antibody responses were monitored at initial vaccination and at 4 wks, 8 wk, 6 mo, and 12 mo postvaccination. Eight of the 11 llamas vaccinated experienced at least a 4-fold increase in serum antibody titers to EMCV. Antibody titers of those eight animals remained elevated above prevaccination levels when measured at 12 mo. The experimental killed EMCV vaccine tested may be a useful tool to prevent EMCV infection in llamas when given in 2 doses 4 wk apart, and then revaccinated or with antibody levels monitored annually thereafter.